Prevention Basics

Life of an Athlete Chippewa Valley Schools seeks to foster an environment that commits to the health and well-being of our student athletes and is free from alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use. Join us in better ensuring that your student athlete makes decisions that promote his/her success in athletics and in life.

Information to Discuss with your Student Athlete

Teens are MUCH more likely to become addicted to Alcohol, Marijuana and Other Drugs than Adults

A teen’s brain is a “work in progress” and isn’t fully developed until s/he is in the mid-20s.
Use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs can damage the developing brain and can lead to irreversible negative effects on the ability to think, problem-solve, and remember. The earlier a teen uses and the more they use, the more likely they are to become addicted.

— National Institute on Drug Abuse (2014) Facts Parents Need to Know

Alcohol, Marijuana and Other Drugs Impairs Performance

Alcohol has been described as a performance impairing drug. Research shows that alcohol use has significant negative effects:

• Athletes who drink regularly are more than twice as likely to be injured (54%) as non-drinkers (24%).
• It takes 3 – 4 days for athletes to restore B vitamins depleted by alcohol.
• One night of excessive drinking wipes out the impact of two weeks of training.

— Underwood, John. American Athletic Institute (2004)

Research shows that marijuana use negatively affects athletic performance in the following ways:

• decreases eye-hand coordination and reaction time
• reduces concentration, motor coordination, and balance
• decreases blood oxygen levels and the motivation to perform
• slows reflexes and negatively affects the ability to think clearly and remember and can lead to injury.

— National Institute on Drug Abuse (2015) Facts for Teens

Parents are a powerful influence! Talk to your student athlete!